A working holiday!

Though we are on holidays, at the end of the day we are pretty tired. We knew that we had lots of things to sort out here and as the days go by, there is a time to relax and a time to work physically. We enjoyed the company of our friends who came to visit us all the way from Limoges and Bordeaux! Also, we managed to have a break most days sitting down at the terrace of a cafe in the center of Civray, meeting up with our expat friends and basking in the autumnal sun. We love walking by the Charente river and biking to the house and back to the campsite. Time to work physically, I must confess that Steven did all the hard work, mowing the lawn seemed to be a Herculean task, then trimming the palm tree seemed dangerous, finally treating the wood was messy. I battled with ivy and wasps that we find in the kitchen. We can't figure out where they come from! We had an appointment with the Edf engineer to sort out our outdated French electricity meter and he gave us another appointment as there was so much to do. As we can't be there, our neighbour kindly agreed to be around. Choosing a cooker was easier once we found But in Ruffec, the equivalent of |Comet. Finally, we spend another hour with 'our' chosen electrician double checking the details of the 'earth wiring' renovation..

Tuesdays and Fridays are market days and we bought some pink garlic, pink pears and goat cheese. 

Here are more photos. Have a blessed evening. 

Walking by the Charente at dusk

Goats by the edge of the campsite of Civray

Un grand creme s'il vous plait!

St Nicholas Church in Civray

By the canal!

 This afternoon, Steven and I went for a walk by the canal from Hixon to Great Haywood and back. On the way, I picked up some blackberries while Steven was taking photos. It 's been a beautiful day and lots of barges were about with a few  fishermen tackling perches while swans and cygnets were parading gracefully. 

Let's go for a walk and take photos!

My favorite photo: a grey heron at Great Haywood

Have a blessed Sunday!

An escapade in Norfolk

 On the 5th of Feb, the front garden disappears under the snow..

 Our Valentine diner at the Crown of India in Stone. Happy hubby! Delicious food!

 Steve and dad checking the menu for our evening meal

 This is my seat, my table, do not disturb!

 In Titchwell reserve, a very elegant wader
 A redrobin welcoming us.

 During half-term, we decided to visit dad but we didn't take the caravan as we planned to spend Friday night there. Imogen didn't come with us as she was invited to a party. We managed to leave at about 9ish and arrived at Heacham (Norfolk) just after noon. After we had a hug, a chat and a coffee, we left to Titchwell  and on the way stopped in a pub called the White Horse. 

In Titchwell, while Steven had a tour on the beach, dad and I had a bite to eat and I took a few photos. 

Later on we went back to the White Horse to have diner. Dad said that because of the cold weather he hadn't been able to go out as much as he wanted to so he was over the moon.

In the morning, we took dad to Snettisham beach. While he stayed in the car admiring the muddy estuary, Steven and I took a short walk to the hide. I must say that I enjoy more and more birdwatching, simply because I feel that admiring God's creation draws me closer to Him. We had a short but wonderful break. 

Somehow I cannot write those posts just after the events... have a blessed week-end. Your sister in Christ. N.

Mid-trent Churches events for September

Saturday 3rd September 2011
All Saints, Sandon Church picnic -Church Car Park from 15.00 - 18.00. In a marquee - please bring your own food and drink
Sunday 11th September
Walk - St. Peter's, Hixon Church Car Park at 14.00 and returning for light refreshments £5 donation
16th to 20th September
Harvest Flower Festival - All Saints Milwich. See compass for details of events or ring Elaine on 01889-505414
Saturday 24th September
St Peter's Harvest Supper - Hixon Memorial Hall at 19.30 - more later
Sunday 25th September
St Peter's Harvest Festival - Including a special thanksgiving for the 20th anniversary of the luncheon club 09.30
This Sunday is also a Back to Church Sunday. Let me explain. If you used to go to church but for some reason, you stopped, why don't you go again, come as you are. You are very welcome in any church. Blessings N.

Spring is here to stay!

Yesterday morning, I was on the phone to my auntie Rolande who lives in Bar-sur-Loup, north of Nice (south of France) and the first thing she said was it was too hot! 30 degrees Celsius. Wonderful, I declared..enviously. Here, the temperature was 20 degrees which is quite warm for April! In the afternoon, we took a stroll by the canal and noticed that the water was fairly high. A few barges were stationed by the bank, their owners either engrossed in a novel while sunbathing or eating outside in the field while their dog was on guard on the péniche.
Steven decided to walk by the river and crossed through the woodland that looked thick. Cowardly, I did not follow him but went back on my steps looking for an opening along the hedge. There was a small gate. As I was walking towards the river I heard him exclaim a loud ' Oh No' His right foot had sunk in a muddy watery patch! Still a few minutes later we saw a bird flying above the canal: it could well have been the elusive king-fisher! We have had a wonderful walk! Praise the Lord.
Blessings.
Note, the photo of the king fisher is on this website: http://www.zpc-naturefolio.co.uk/Gallery-Roy%20Blewitt.htm